Jump-start your conference experience by attending these interactive and practical workshops. These information-packed sessions are a great opportunity to network with fellow attendees while taking a hands-on, common sense approach to mastering social media strategies that will enhance your understanding of the informative, case study presentations throughout the entire conference.

Choose A or B or BOTH for Maximum Value and Learning

Stepping Into Social Media: How To Leverage Various Social Media Tools To Improve Your Organization's Communication With Internal And External Audiences

At this conference, you will hear high-level presentations on the usage of social media within organizations. Some attendees, though, don’t understand the basics behind these social media tools and how to create and use them effectively. This workshop will walk you through the workings of many social media tools and show you exactly how to create and use them effectively for both your internal and external audiences. In effect, this is a beginner’s session, designed to introduce attendees to various social media tools, with emphasis on how to create and use them effectively once back home in their organizations. Note: this workshop is not for intermediate or advanced users of social media.

• The basics of social media tools
• How to create a compelling blog for internal and external audiences
• The role podcasting plays in getting your message out
• Why wikis are the new way to manage projects internally
• How to incorporate Facebook and Twitter into your communication strategies
• How RSS can help you rely less on email

WORKSHOP LEADER: Jason Anthoine, APR, serves as senior vice president and practice leader for MS&L's Employee Engagement Practice, where he leads a team of communications professionals in developing internal communications strategies, plans and tactics that deliver business results. Accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America, he has more than 21 years experience in workplace communications, internal branding and employee engagement. Previously, Jason was the owner and president of The Cohesion Group, an award-winning workplace communications firm. He was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the firm, for new business development, and for strategic and creative direction for clients including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Cox Communications, GE, Hanson, Manheim, Marsh, McKesson, Siemens Energy & Automation, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, VeriSign and Willis.

Rave Reviews From Past Jason Anthoine Sessions:

"Presenter made the topic & content easy to understand."

"Jason was very flexible with our group, allowing the discussion to flow where the participants needed it to; and he answered all questions—very knowledgeable!"

"This was my favorite session... it tied it all together. Great. Speaker was excellent!"

"Very good examples and discussion. I very much enjoyed it."

"Excellent presentation—expert."

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon break/lunch on your own.

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
AFTERNOON PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP B

"I Have A Social Media Plan, I Have The Tools – Now What?" How To Develop And Implement Content For Use In Your Social Media Strategy - - Creating An Action Plan

OK – you've made a commitment to utilizing social media and researched the appropriate tools to use. Now the big question – what goes on that new Facebook page, your website, the Twitter feed? How do you get started? How do you plan content for the future so your audience stays engaged on a long-term basis?

This workshop will address this common hurdle. You will learn practical approaches and tips to creating a content strategy as part of a social media program by providing best-in-class examples of both public and private sector efforts. You will learn about the "Three Commandments of Online Content" and the "Puppy Theory of Content Development." Be it a blog post, a video or even a tweet, you'll learn how to tailor your content to optimize the outreach tools you select as part of your social media strategy.

The practical tips that will be covered will be put to use by exploring your specific needs, asking you come prepared to share your questions about content development. As a group, you will discuss those questions and apply potential approaches and strategies. The workshop will also outline specific next steps so you can walk away armed with answers and an action plan for your organization.

• Key Items to consider when developing an online content strategy
• Best practices for developing content
• How to increase the chances of making your content viral
• How to plan for content development beyond your initial launch
• Utilizing the "distributed web" to circulate your content
• Discovering the types of content that works best with the major outreach tools including the web, Facebook, and Twitter
• Applying these approaches to your specific content needs

WORKSHOP LEADER: Denise McKee, is COO at AboutFace Media Inc. AboutFace is a content marketing agency that creates short form video documentaries for brands, and then optimizes that content for use within social media. Specializing in the documentary genre, their directors are award-winning filmmakers whose work has been screened at Sundance, South by Southwest and the Tribeca Film Festival among others. Clients include Sears, Kmart, Trek Bikes, U.S, Forest Service, Quill, Florida Tourism and The Merchandise Mart. As COO, Denise’s primary duty is to develop and direct the company’s structure and organization, oversee day to day operations and work with the CEO to identify and implement the company’s strategic goals and objectives. She is a frequent presenter on the topic of developing and utilizing content as part of a Social Media strategy.